OBITUARY: Donald B. Smith

Donald B. Smith, age 88 of Carbondale, passed away at 5:57 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015, in Manor Court of Carbondale.

He was born Oct. 24, 1926, to Ben and Ida (Cantrell) Smith in Eldorado.

Don married Betty Jane Tyree on Oct. 1, 1950, in Eldorado. Together they shared 64 years.

He proudly served his country in the United State Army in Japan at the end of World War II.

He was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church. He formerly was a trustee, a member of the administrative board, a chairman of the Council on Ministries and a Lay Leader.

He was a past President of the Carbondale Rotary Club and the United Cerebral Palsy of Southern Illinois. He was a member of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce for over 30 years, beginning in 1954. He was on the board of the Chamber of Commerce, various committees and active in the Downtown Merchants Association. Beginning in 1975 he was on the board of directors for the Carbondale National Bank, now Regions Bank, until 1984. He was the chairman of the local Building Code Board of Appeals and during the 1970's he served on the Carbondale Bicentennial Commission. He and Betty owned the Carbondale Ben Franklin Store which they operated from 1954 to 1985.

Don is survived by his loving wife, Betty Smith of Carbondale; a son, Christopher Tyree Smith of Carbondale; a sister, Norma Noel of Cottonwood; and a brother, John Lee Smith of Louisville, Ky.; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.

Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, 2015, at the Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015, at the Grace United Methodist Church in Carbondale.

Funeral Services for Don Smith will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015, at the Grace United Methodist Church with the Rev. In-Sook Hwang officiating. Interment will follow at the Wolf Creek Cemetery in Eldorado.

Memorials can be made to the Grace United Methodist Church and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To leave online condolences please visit www.crainsonline.com